Council tenants who illegally rent out their homes as short-term holiday lets could lose them, thanks to a national partnership with Airbnb.

The government has announced a data-sharing agreement with the holiday rental booking platform to allow local authorities, like Ealing Council, to spot when council homes are being advertised on Airbnb for short-term holidays. This is illegal. Social housing can only be used as a tenant’s main and permanent home, and it cannot be sub-let out to someone else. If a tenant is found to have done this, they could be evicted or even face prison.

The new partnership between the National Fraud Initiative and Airbnb will complement the work the council is already doing to crack down on social housing fraud. Over the last 18 months, the council’s fraud team has taken back 33 council homes from rogue tenants after investigations. Those homes are, instead, given to families who genuinely need them.

‘Another tool in the fight against fraud’

Councillor Louise Brett, the council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for safe and genuinely affordable homes, said: “We welcome this national partnership, which gives us another tool to use in our fight against fraud. The overwhelming majority of council tenants follow the rules and use their homes as their main residence. However, we will always take strong action when we find that our properties are being misused.

“Every council home recovered through tenancy fraud investigations is a home that could be allocated to a person or family in genuine need. With demand for affordable housing continuing to rise, it is vital that these properties are used for the purpose they were intended.”

What is tenancy fraud?

It is a crime. Tenancy fraud happens when a tenant misuses a council home, for example by sub-letting it without permission, or letting it as short-term holiday accommodation. It is also fraud if someone gives the council false information to get social housing. These are all criminal offences.

Tenants found committing tenancy fraud could face serious consequences, including eviction, fines and, in some cases, up to 2 years in prison. The customers or sub-tenants paying to rent out the properties usually have no idea that they are caught up in a criminal act.

Costing us all money

According to the Tenancy Fraud Forum, each fraudulently occupied social home could cost the public around £42,000 meaning the 33 recovered council homes translate to nearly £1.4 million. By finding and reclaiming misused properties, the council is ensuring that homes are available for those who really need them and protecting public funds.

Council officers carry out unannounced visits to make sure homes are being used by the right tenants. Residents may be asked to provide photographic identification, proof of address, and details of everyone living in the property.

Report tenancy fraud

If you suspect tenancy fraud is taking place at a home, you can report it by calling the council’s fraud hotline free on 0800 328 6453 or by emailing fraud@ealing.gov.uk.

All reports will be treated seriously and confidentially. You do not have to give your name when submitting a report.